Do Portuguese citizens need a visa for Russia?
Yes, they do. Since August 1, 2023, Portuguese citizens have been able to use an electronic visa, which allows them to stay in the country for up to 30 days without an invitation. For longer stays, a standard visa issued through a consulate is required.
How can Portuguese citizens apply for a Russian visa?
Step 1. Get an invitation
Applying for a Russian visa as a Portuguese citizen requires preparing certain documents, the most important of which is an official invitation. The type of invitation depends on the requested visa category: tourist, business, private, work, or another type depending on the purpose of the visit.
Step 2. Choose a submission method
- Through the Russian consulate (only in Lisbon).
– Applications are accepted by appointment only.
– The number of applications accepted per day is limited, so long queues are possible. - Through an agency – a full visa service.
– Agencies can help arrange a visa without the applicant having to appear in person.
– This option is suitable for busy applicants or for those who want to reduce the amount of paperwork.
Due to the closure of the official Russian visa center in Portugal, documents can currently be submitted either in person at the consulate or through an agency. When contacting the Russian consulate, please note that visa documents are accepted strictly by prior appointment.
⚠️ Regardless of the chosen submission method, start the visa application process in advance – this will help you avoid unexpected delays. However, a visa application may be submitted no earlier than 90 days before the planned date of entry.
Apply for an invitation
Price from €14
Full visa service in Portugal
For Portuguese citizens, we offer a remote full visa service with submission through our representative office in Germany to the Russian Consular Section in Bonn. German resident status is not required. The applicant does not need to visit the consulate in person or contact a visa center to submit the visa application. We prepare all the necessary documents and arrange delivery of the passport to our partners in Germany. They submit the documents to the consulate and, once the visa is ready, collect the passport with the issued visa and send it back by courier.
The standard processing time for a single- or double-entry visa is 8–10 business days, counted from the moment your documents are received at our office in Bonn. Urgent processing is also available and takes 2 business days. For a multiple-entry visa, the processing time is 12 business days, and expedited processing is not available for this type of visa. Please allow another 2–4 business days for document delivery both ways.
All visa packages for Portuguese citizens include the following services:
- Consular and visa fees for visa processing.
- Remote visa processing for EU passport holders through our office in Bonn, with no need to confirm resident status in Germany.
- Completion of the consular visa application form on the applicant’s behalf, based on the information provided by the applicant.
- Round-trip delivery of original documents by DHL (to our office in Germany and back).
The full visa service cost includes mandatory consular and visa fees, DHL courier delivery within the EU (€99), and our company’s service fee. Standard packages start from €119, while urgent packages start from €179. The amount of consular and visa fees varies depending on the number of entries and the urgency of processing. The invitation and medical insurance are paid separately: the invitation price depends on its type, duration, and number of entries; the insurance price depends on the insurance program, the number of insured days, and the applicant’s age (from €1 per day).
Full visa service
Price from €119
Main types of Russian visas for Portuguese citizens
- Tourist visa – for tourism, excursions, and sightseeing;
- Business visa – for conferences and business meetings;
- Electronic visa – for short-term trips;
- Work visa – for employment with a Russian company;
- Private visa – for visiting relatives or friends in Russia (although it is usually more practical and cheaper to use a tourist or electronic visa).
Validity periods of Russian visas for citizens of Portugal
| Visa | Validity period | Purpose of entry |
|---|---|---|
| Tourist | 1–180 days | Tourism, leisure, excursions, cultural events, as well as visiting friends or relatives in Russia |
| Business | 1 month – 5 years | Business meetings and negotiations, searching for business partners, attending conferences, and long-term visits to relatives in Russia |
| Electronic | 1–30 days | Short-term trips |
| Private | 30 days – 1 year | Officially arranged visits to relatives and friends in Russia |
| Work | up to 90 days, with the possibility of extension for up to three years | Employment in Russia |
Documents for a Russian visa for citizens of Portugal
- Invitation.
– Depending on the visa category (tourist, business, private, etc.) – in accordance with consular requirements. - International passport (original).
– At least two blank pages.
– Validity period – at least 6 months after the visa expires. - Visa application form.
– Completed online at visa.kdmid.ru (in Russian or English).
– Printed and personally signed. - Passport photo.
– Color photo, 3.5 × 4.5 cm, against a light background.
– Taken no more than 6 months ago. - Medical insurance.
– An insurance policy valid in the Russian Federation for the entire visa period, with coverage of at least €30,000. - Document confirming the right of residence in Portugal (not required for Portuguese citizens).
– For third-country nationals – the original and a copy of the Portuguese residence permit. - Documents for minor children.
– Birth certificate (original + copy).
– For children travelling with third parties – parental authorization, a copy of the parent’s passport, and the child’s birth certificate.
Processing times for a Russian visa for citizens of Portugal
Visa applications are processed by the Embassy or Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Portugal. Processing times start from the next business day after the complete set of documents has been received.
The standard processing time is 4–10 business days. If necessary, urgent processing is available and may take up to 3 business days; however, this service requires prior approval and is not provided automatically.
Please note that processing times may increase during the high season. For business visas issued on the basis of an official invitation from a company, urgent processing is not available; in this case, the standard 10-day processing time applies.
In the case of group applications or unforeseen circumstances, processing times may be extended. We recommend planning document submission in advance.
How much does a Russian visa cost for Portuguese citizens?
The cost of a visa for Portuguese citizens depends on:
- The number of entries (single-entry, double-entry, multiple-entry).
- The processing time (standard or urgent).
For urgent processing, the cost doubles.
Consular fee rates (in euros):
- Single entry:
- 4–20 days – €77.
- 1–3 days – €153 (urgent processing).
- Double entry:
- 4–20 days – €123.
- 1–3 days – €245 (urgent processing).
- Multiple entry:
- 4–20 days – €230.
- 1–3 days – €460 (urgent processing).
The prices shown are for informational purposes only – the final amount may vary depending on additional services and the current exchange rate.
Tourist visa for Portuguese citizens
If a Portuguese citizen plans to visit the Russian Federation for sightseeing and leisure, a tourist visa is required. The invitation for this type of visa is issued by tour operators included in the federal register and holding their own reference number [1].
Step-by-step guide to applying for a Russian visa
The format of the invitation may vary, but the document must contain the travel company’s details and reference number, as well as the Portuguese citizen’s passport details. The tourist invitation must state the travel dates and number of visa entries, as well as the applicant’s planned itinerary (the cities to be visited) and places of accommodation.
You can check the status of the tourist invitation using this link.
To apply for a visa, a Portuguese citizen will also need mandatory medical insurance.
What is the validity period of a tourist visa for Portuguese citizens?
Up to 90 days with single or double entry, or 180 days with multiple entry (under a multiple-entry tourist visa, the permitted stay must not exceed 90 days within each 180-day period).
Proceed to tourist invitation application
Price from €14
Business visa for Portuguese citizens
If a Portuguese citizen plans to conduct business negotiations in Russia, search for business partners, sign or extend contracts, or take part in seminars or auctions, they need a business visa. This visa requires an invitation from a Russian legal entity, issued by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation (formerly the FMS), the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or on the letterhead of the inviting organization.
What is the validity period of a business visa for Portuguese citizens?
The maximum validity period of a business visa for Portuguese citizens is five years. At the same time, the permitted continuous or cumulative stay in the Russian Federation under multiple-entry business visas for all EU citizens must not exceed 90 days within each 180-day period.
If a Portuguese citizen has not previously had Russian business visas but needs a business visa for longer than three months, the visa must be requested on the basis of an invitation from the Ministry of Internal Affairs (electronic) or a telex. Such official invitations are issued immediately for 365 days with multiple entry, even if the applicant has no previous Russian visas.
Types of business invitations for Portuguese citizens:
- company letter;
- electronic invitation from the Ministry of Internal Affairs;
- telex from the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
An invitation on company letterhead is a letter of request from a Russian organization asking a Russian consular office to issue a visa to a Portuguese citizen. This invitation is issued within one day.
An electronic invitation is issued by the migration divisions of the territorial bodies of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs (formerly the Federal Migration Service) on the basis of a petition from an accredited organization inviting the foreign citizen. An electronic invitation with a barcode is sent digitally to the database of the Russian consulate specified when the document is issued, and the applicant receives a printable copy of the invitation by email. Only the printed copy is required for the visa application, as no original exists. The processing time for an electronic invitation for Portuguese citizens is regulated by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and is 20 to 30 business days.
Telex is a direct instruction from the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to a Russian consular office. In this case, when applying for the visa, the foreign citizen only needs to state the telex number (visa instruction number) provided by the inviting party. The processing time for a telex for Portuguese citizens is also 20 to 30 business days.
What is the difference between a telex and an electronic invitation?
If a Portuguese citizen has already had Russian business visas, we recommend applying for a written company invitation:
- A company letter is cheaper than a telex or an electronic invitation from the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
- It is issued online in five minutes – a copy of the invitation is sent by email immediately after the order is paid.
- With this type of invitation, it is possible to obtain a visa valid for two to five years (provided there are previously used multiple-entry visas for Russia), whereas an electronic invitation or telex allows a visa to be requested for a maximum of one year.
Important:
-
Business visa applications based on a company letter are processed by Russian consulates within 12 business days; expedited processing is not possible.
-
Portuguese citizens must submit this type of invitation (on company letterhead) to the consulate in original form if applying for a multiple-entry visa. You can order courier delivery of the original invitation to Portugal from us.
How Portuguese citizens can quickly obtain an invitation on company letterhead:
- Fill out a short online application form.
- Pay for the order by bank card on the website.
- Receive a copy of the invitation by email immediately after payment.
Order an invitation letter online
Price from €49
Electronic visa for Portuguese citizens
The unified electronic visa is a visa document that allows foreign citizens to visit the Russian Federation without obtaining a regular visa sticker in their passport. No invitation to Russia is required to apply for this visa.
The electronic visa is intended for tourist, business, humanitarian, and guest trips, as well as for participation in socio-political, economic, and sporting events. The electronic visa is valid for 120 days from the date of issue. The permitted stay in Russia is no more than 30 days from the date of entry. The e-visa can only be single-entry.
To obtain an electronic visa, a Portuguese citizen only needs a digital personal photo, a copy of the passport, and an application form completed on our website.
Price from €84
Private visa for Portuguese citizens
To visit relatives or friends, Portuguese citizens should formally apply for a private visa. The inviting party must arrange a private invitation for the foreign citizen in accordance with Russian law. The inviting party may be a Russian citizen or a foreign citizen holding a residence permit. In practice, however, it is not that simple: here is why using a private visa is not recommended.
Private visa validity period
A private visa may be single-entry, double-entry or multiple-entry. It is issued for a period from 30 days to one year and allows the foreign citizen to stay in Russia for the entire validity period of the visa without leaving the Russian Federation.
Obtaining a private visa by invitation
If a Portuguese citizen is invited to the Russian Federation by a private individual, that person must contact the Main Directorate for Migration of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia at the place of registration. If the inviting party is a company, the application is submitted to the same authority at the place of the company’s accreditation.
The invitation is issued on a Ministry of Internal Affairs form in paper or electronic format with an individual number. Processing takes up to 30 days: during this period, checks are carried out to determine whether the applicant has any criminal records, visa violations, or administrative offenses. If the Portuguese citizen violated Russian law during previous trips, the invitation will be refused.
Obtaining a private visa based on an application from a close relative
Since September 2021, citizens of Portugal who are close relatives of Russian citizens may apply for a one-year private visa on the basis of a written application from a Russian citizen for the entry of their close relative into Russia.
Who qualifies as a close relative:
- parents;
- spouses;
- children;
- children’s spouses;
- full and half siblings;
- adoptive parents and adopted children;
- grandchildren;
- grandparents.
The Russian citizen must submit this application in person to the Russian Consular Section in Portugal or through a Russian visa center. If the applicant is in the territory of the Russian Federation, the original notarized application will be required to obtain the visa. It is also necessary to provide the original or a notarized copy of a document confirming close kinship (birth certificate, marriage certificate, etc.) that is recognized as valid in Russia.
Private visa for special cases
In exceptional circumstances, a private visa for Russia may be issued without an invitation, on the basis of a decision by the Ambassador or Consul of the Russian Federation in Portugal upon a written application from the foreign citizen. A private visa for special cases may be issued to a Portuguese citizen who needs to enter Russia urgently due to the serious illness or death of a close relative, or to receive urgent medical treatment in the Russian Federation. The need for urgent entry must be confirmed with documents.
Apply for a private invitation for Portuguese citizens
Our company does not arrange private invitations. In addition, we recommend a tourist visa or a business visa, as these options take less time. A private invitation must be arranged independently by contacting the Main Directorate for Migration of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia at the place of registration.
Work visa for Portuguese citizens
A Portuguese citizen must have a work visa to work legally in Russia. A work visa should not be confused with a business visa: only a work visa allows a foreign citizen to work officially and receive a salary. The invitation for a work visa is arranged by the employer planning to hire the Portuguese citizen. This is a complex and lengthy procedure that includes several stages:
- Obtaining a work permit (handled by the employer company).
- Obtaining an invitation for a work visa valid for 90 days.
- Registering the foreign citizen for migration purposes after arrival in Russia.
- Extending the work visa for the entire validity period of the work permit.
- Registering the foreign citizen for migration purposes for the entire validity period of the visa.
The maximum period for which a work visa may be issued is three years (for highly qualified specialists). Unlike a business visa, a work visa allows foreign citizens to stay in Russia for the entire validity period. In addition, a work visa can be extended without leaving the country.
Our company does not arrange work invitations.
Where can Portuguese citizens apply for a Russian visa in Portugal?
A Russian visa can be obtained through the Russian consular office in Portugal, located in Lisbon.
Russian consular office in Portugal
Embassy of the Russian Federation in the Portuguese Republic, Consular Section of the Embassy (Lisbon):- Address: Av. das Descobertas, n.º 4, 1400-092 Lisboa.
- Phone: (+351) 213-011-606.
- Fax: (+351) 213-011-625
- E-mail: consul@embrussia.ru
- Website: consul.embrussia.ru
- Office hours: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 09:30 to 11:30.
Visitors are accepted only by prior appointment.
Frequently asked questions
- Clarify the reason for the refusal – request a written explanation from the consulate if it is not provided automatically. Please note that the consulate has the right to refuse a visa without giving reasons, and a request for clarification may also be rejected.
- Correct any mistakes – recheck the documents (application form, invitation, passport validity) and submit the application again after correcting the deficiencies.
- File an appeal – challenge the refusal through the consulate or court if it is unfounded, with the help of lawyers or the inviting party.
- An administrative fine – from 2,000 to 5,000 rubles for individuals, and up to 500,000 rubles for the host party (for example, an employer or relative).
- Entry ban – in case of serious violations (for example, illegal employment or overstaying a visa), entry to Russia may be banned for up to several years.
- Deportation – in cases of major violations, such as forged documents or illegal stay, deportation may be imposed, followed by entry restrictions.